32 
s still laco samples are remarkably good for African rubber. 
g rubber. 
dene. if these samples are from the same plant, the difference 
in eolour of the tears must be due to the incision or puncture 
extending to different tissues. The light-coloured particles were 
very similar to good Ceara rubber. The freshly-cut surfaces of 
sample No. 5 were whitish in colour. It was very similar to the 
better specimen of No. 3, and as a raw article is quite equal to the 
best kinds of Brazilian rubber. On so small a sample, it would be 
difficult to say how it would behave in general manufacture. The 
` behaviour of a diy men under manipulation is of primary import- 
ance in fixin commercial value. However, this specimen is 
far above the ros kinds of African rubber. 
rican 
vulcanized fairly well and free from éponginose. It would bardly 
be suitable for working by itself, but with firmer kinds of rubber 
it would mix well and yield a produet suitable for many low class 
manufactures. The two samples marked No. 3 lost 5°6 per cent. 
on washing and drying. The samples were mixed together and 
behaved very well in grinding and mixing. It v ulcanizes very 
well in being elastic, firm, and solid. In this stage it takes a dark 
colour, but is not offensive in smell. 
No. 5 sample gave a loss of 8 per cent. on washing and drying. 
It vuleanizes very well, although i in colour. Its smell is not 
offensive but stro 
Remarks.—As a rule the African rubbers give dark products on 
vulcanizing, and many of them have an offensive odour, here 
arises no doubt from the action of sulphur, in vulcanizing, o 
some aneri contained in the natural sap of the plant yioldind 
the rubber, 
Messrs. Taylor, Laughland and Company, of Glasgow, recently 
forwarded specimens of West African rubber with a letter of 
which the following is`an extract :— 
One s our agents in Old Calabar, West Africa, has collected 
and sent usa few samples which he is very anxious to get classified, 
and thinking that you would help us in this, we have sent to-day 
to your address per Globe Parcel Express, wii. paid, a parcel 
osed lis 
eontaining these samples as per encl He is anxious to 
get the natives deer cultivata the rubber vine cii make rubber more 
e has been up the country and finds the various 
and, 
secure the best plants, he has sent home specimens of the leaves 
of four common kinds of vines with the native names, and if you 
ean give us the scientific names we shall feel much obliged. He 
